As the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches the quarter-final stage, the Opta SuperComputer has forecast the teams most likely to secure a spot in the semi-finals. The upcoming quarter-final matchups feature France against Morocco, Spain versus Belgium, Norway against England, and Argentina versus Switzerland.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a significant political shift in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, two prominent allies of Governor Siminalayi Fubara—Darlington Orji, his immediate past Senior Special Assistant, and Hon. Collins Onunwo, a former Commissioner for Transport—have defected to the Rainbow Coalition. This bipartisan alliance, led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, is dedicated to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• The defections follow Governor Fubara’s withdrawal from the governorship race prior to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

• Fubara’s withdrawal facilitated the candidacy of Kingsley Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives, for the APC.

• This development reportedly caused friction among some of the governor’s long-standing allies, who felt unsettled by the move.

• Darlington Orji confirmed his departure on Facebook, stating that he had “returned home to my family”.

Developments in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)

• Separately, the Rivers State chapter of the ADC has officially announced David Amapakaye Okumgba as the deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

• Okumgba will be running on a ticket with the party’s governorship candidate, Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson.

• The ADC characterized Okumgba as a highly respected leader, citing his extensive background in business and public administration as evidence of his competence.

• According to the party, the selection of Okumgba was based on his strong organizational abilities, political experience, and intimate knowledge of the state’s socio-political environment.

Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, has spoken out following claims by Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, that his life is in danger due to the current administration’s actions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Safety as a Democratic Benchmark: Atiku warned that the true test of a democracy is the safety of those outside of power, emphasizing that the Nigerian state is constitutionally obligated to protect every opposition leader.

• Direct Warning: He explicitly declared that “nothing must happen” to Peter Obi, arguing that the intimidation of one opposition voice diminishes all others and ultimately harms democracy.

• Call for Reassurance: He stated that when opposition figures raise concerns, the government’s primary duty is to respond with statesmanship and facts rather than insults, noting that responding to criticism with abuse suggests insecurity.

• Refocusing Priorities: Atiku urged the government to stop targeting political opponents and instead focus on addressing existential crises, identifying poverty, hunger, insecurity, corruption, and kidnapping as the true enemies of Nigeria.

• Broader Demands: He called for the release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and urged the government to secure the release of all abducted Nigerians, including schoolchildren and teachers.